Leon High School
Tallahassee, Florida
Class of 1959
This is actually a countdown to the anniversary of our graduation, which was the afternoon of Sunday, June 5, 1959. Below, you'll (eventually) find a summary of each year from 1955-1959. I started on an earlier page with 1955, then 1956, 1957, and now 1958. I originally planned to add info for each month of each year until we reach the June 5, 2009 anniversary date, but eventually backed down to a quarterly and now semi-annual page. At the bottom of this page, I've included links to websites where you'll find more info on whatever year you're interested in that I discovered while researching these pages.
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Quick-Look at 1958
Like all the lists of important events, movies, etc. that I found, this one may be tainted by my own preferences. Check the links at the bottom of the page to read the lists of others. Click these links for details on months: JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH, APRIL, MAY,
•January 4 - Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4, 1957).
January 4 - Sputnik 1 falls to Earth from its orbit (launched on October 4, 1957).•January 13 - 9235 scientists publish a plea to stop nuclear bomb tests.
January 13 - 9235 scientists publish a plea to stop nuclear bomb tests.•January 31 - The first successful American satellite, Explorer 1, is launched into orbit.
January 31 - The first successful American satellite, Explorer 1, is launched into orbit.•February 1 - Egypt and Syria unite to form the United Arab Republic.
February 1 - Egypt and Syria unite to form the United Arab Republic.•February 2 - The word Aerospace is coined, from the words Aircraft (aero) and Spacecraft (space) taking into consideration that the Earth's atmosphere and outerspace is to be one, or a single realm.
February 2 - The word Aerospace is coined, from the words Aircraft (aero) and Spacecraft (space) taking into consideration that the Earth's atmosphere and outerspace is to be one, or a single realm.•February 5 – Gamel Abdel Nasser is nominated to be the first president of the United Arab Republic.
February 5 – Gamel Abdel Nasser is nominated to be the first president of the United Arab Republic.•February 14 - The Hashemite Kingdoms of Iraq and Jordan unites in the Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan with the Iraqi King Faisal II as head of state.
February 14 - The Hashemite Kingdoms of Iraq and Jordan unites in the Arab Federation of Iraq and Jordan with the Iraqi King Faisal II as head of state.•February 20 - Test rocket explodes in Cape Canaveral.
February 20 - Test rocket explodes in Cape Canaveral.•February 21 - Peace symbol designed and completed by Gerald Holtom, commissioned by Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, in protest against the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment.
February 21 - Peace symbol designed and completed by Gerald Holtom, commissioned by Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, in protest against the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment.•February 24 - In Cuba, Radio Rebelde, radio of rebels of Fidel Castro, begins broadcasting from Sierra Maestra.
February 24 - In Cuba, Radio Rebelde, radio of rebels of Fidel Castro, begins broadcasting from Sierra Maestra.•March 2 - A British team led by Sir Vivian Fuchs completes the first crossing of the Antarctic in Snow-cat caterpillar tractors and dogsled teams in 99 days.
March 2 - A British team led by Sir Vivian Fuchs completes the first crossing of the Antarctic in Snow-cat caterpillar tractors and dogsled teams in 99 days.•March 8 - USS Wisconsin is decommissioned, leaving the United States Navy without an active battleship for the first time since 1896 (recommissioned October 22, 1988).
March 8 - USS Wisconsin is decommissioned, leaving the United States Navy without an active battleship for the first time since 1896 (recommissioned October 22, 1988).•March 11 - U.S. B-47 bomber accidentally drops an atom bomb on Mars Bluff, South Carolina. Its conventional explosives destroy a house and injure several people, but no nuclear fission occurs.
March 11 - U.S. B-47 bomber accidentally drops an atom bomb on Mars Bluff, South Carolina. Its conventional explosives destroy a house and injure several people, but no nuclear fission occurs.•March 17 - The United States launches the Vanguard 1 satellite.
March 17 - The United States launches the Vanguard 1 satellite.•March 24 - The U.S. Army inducts Elvis Presley, transforming The King Of Rock & Roll into U.S. private #53310761
March 24 - The U.S. Army inducts Elvis Presley, transforming The King Of Rock & Roll into U.S. private #53310761•March 26 - The United States Army launches Explorer 3.
March 26 - The United States Army launches Explorer 3.•March 27 - Nikita Khrushchev becomes Premier of the Soviet Union.
March 27 - Nikita Khrushchev becomes Premier of the Soviet Union.•April 3 - Castro's revolutionary army begins its attacks on Havana.
April 3 - Castro's revolutionary army begins its attacks on Havana.•April 4 - April 7 - The first protest march for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament from Hyde Park, London to Aldermaston, Berkshire. Demonstrators demand ban of nuclear weapons.
April 4 - April 7 - The first protest march for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament from Hyde Park, London to Aldermaston, Berkshire. Demonstrators demand ban of nuclear weapons.•April 6 - Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiari divorces the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi after she is unable to produce any children.
April 6 - Soraya Esfandiary Bakhtiari divorces the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi after she is unable to produce any children.•April 15 - The first Major League Baseball regular season game ever played in California as the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-0 at San Francisco's Seals Stadium.
April 15 - The first Major League Baseball regular season game ever played in California as the San Francisco Giants beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-0 at San Francisco's Seals Stadium.•May 12 - A formal North American Aerospace Defense Command agreement is signed between the United States and Canada.
May 12 - A formal North American Aerospace Defense Command agreement is signed between the United States and Canada.•May 13 - During a visit to Caracas, Venezuela, Vice President Richard M. Nixon's car is attacked by anti-American demonstrators.
May 13 - During a visit to Caracas, Venezuela, Vice President Richard M. Nixon's car is attacked by anti-American demonstrators.•May 15 - The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 3.
May 15 - The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 3.•May 18 - An F-104 Starfighter sets a world speed record of 1,404.19 mph.
May 18 - An F-104 Starfighter sets a world speed record of 1,404.19 mph.•May 20 - Fulgencio Batista's government launches counteroffensive against Castro's rebels.
May 20 - Fulgencio Batista's government launches counteroffensive against Castro's rebels.•June 1 - Charles de Gaulle is brought out of retirement to lead France by decree for six months.
June 1 - Charles de Gaulle is brought out of retirement to lead France by decree for six months.•June 2 - San Simeon, California, USA; Hearst Castle opens to the public for guided tours.
June 2 - San Simeon, California, USA; Hearst Castle opens to the public for guided tours.•June 27 - Peronist party becomes legal again in Argentina.
June 27 - Peronist party becomes legal again in Argentina.•July 7 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the Alaska Statehood Act into United States law
July 7 - President Dwight D. Eisenhower signs the Alaska Statehood Act into United States law•July 7 - First International House of Pancakes (IHOP) opens in Toluca Lake, Calif.
July 7 - First International House of Pancakes (IHOP) opens in Toluca Lake, Calif.•July 14 - Iraqi Revolution: The Iraqi monarchy is overthrown by Arab nationalists, King Faisal II is murdered and Abdul Karim Qassim assumes power.
July 14 - Iraqi Revolution: The Iraqi monarchy is overthrown by Arab nationalists, King Faisal II is murdered and Abdul Karim Qassim assumes power.•July 15 - In Lebanon, 5,000 United States Marines land in the capital Beirut in order to protect the pro-Western government there.
July 15 - In Lebanon, 5,000 United States Marines land in the capital Beirut in order to protect the pro-Western government there.•July 17 - British paratroopers arrive in Jordan; King Hussein has asked help against pressure from Iraq.
July 17 - British paratroopers arrive in Jordan; King Hussein has asked help against pressure from Iraq.•July 20 - Various rebel groups in Cuba join forces, but communists do not join the deal.
July 20 - Various rebel groups in Cuba join forces, but communists do not join the deal.•July 26 - Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom gives her son Charles the title of Prince of Wales.
July 26 - Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom gives her son Charles the title of Prince of Wales.•July 29 - The U.S. Congress formally creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
July 29 - The U.S. Congress formally creates the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).•August 30-September 1 - Riots between blacks and whites in Notting Hill, London.
August 30-September 1 - Riots between blacks and whites in Notting Hill, London.•September 12 - Jack St. Clair Kilby invents first integrated circuit.
September 12 - Jack St. Clair Kilby invents first integrated circuit.•October 1 - Tunisia and Morocco join the Arab League.
October 1 - Tunisia and Morocco join the Arab League.•October 9 - Pope Pius XII dies.
October 9 - Pope Pius XII dies.•October 11 - Pioneer 1, the second and most successful of three project Able space probes, became the first spacecraft launched by the newly formed NASA.
October 11 - Pioneer 1, the second and most successful of three project Able space probes, became the first spacecraft launched by the newly formed NASA.•October 28 - Pope John XXIII succeeds Pope Pius XII as the 261st pope.
October 28 - Pope John XXIII succeeds Pope Pius XII as the 261st pope.•November 23 - Have Gun, Will Travel debuts on radio.
November 23 - Have Gun, Will Travel debuts on radio.•December 9 - The John Birch Society is founded in the USA by Robert Welch, a retired candy manufacturer.
December 9 - The John Birch Society is founded in the USA by Robert Welch, a retired candy manufacturer.•December 21 - General Charles de Gaulle is elected president of France with 78.5% of the votes.
December 21 - General Charles de Gaulle is elected president of France with 78.5% of the votes.•December 25 - Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker (the George Balanchine version) is shown on prime-time television in color for the first time, as an episode of the CBS anthology series Playhouse 90.
December 25 - Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker (the George Balanchine version) is shown on prime-time television in color for the first time, as an episode of the CBS anthology series Playhouse 90.•December 28 - The Baltimore Colts beat The New York Giants 23-17 in overtime to win The NFL Championship.
December 28 - The Baltimore Colts beat The New York Giants 23-17 in overtime to win The NFL Championship.•December 29 - Rebel troops under Che Guevara begin to invade Santa Clara in Cuba.
December 29 - Rebel troops under Che Guevara begin to invade Santa Clara in Cuba.COUNTDOWN TO THE 50TH REUNION OF THE CLASS OF '59
LINKS TO WEBSITES WITH GOBS OF MORE 1958 INFO
1958 - We are Seniors!
As soon as we graduated 11th grade, we were seniors, right? Finally, after more than a decade of school, we'd achieved that precious goal. Little did we know that 50 years later, we'd be "seniors" again, but this time not a goal but an inevitability. IMHO, 1958 was a kind of blah year for cars, but I've included them every other year, so here they are again (courtesy of Wikipedia)
CLICK HERE to see all 151 of the Wikipedia photos. I've put some of my favorites below.
CLICK ANY PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW!
Ambassador - one of the last Nash products
As was the Metropolitan - this one belongs to Jimmy Buffett
Another "classic" - 1958 Caterpillar Coal-Hauler
Eldorado - our "dream car"
Thunderbird - fat
1958 cars were fat! Like this Chevy
Then, there was the
Skyliner "hard-top convertible"
Dodge - one of the last "fin-mobiles"
Pontiac - fat
Another short-lived idea - the Packard that looked like a Studebaker
WANT TO HEAR SOME GREAT 1955-59 SONGS?
CLICK THE JUKEBOX!
THEN, CLICK BACK HERE AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY IN THE BACKGROUND
JUKEBOX COURTESY OF TROPICALGLEN.COM
I wonder how much this huge 1958 Cadillac weighed ...
Also the year of odd cars - like the Edsel, one of Ford's "better" ideas
Buick - fat
Here is where the links will live - If they ain't italic & underlined, they ain't active yet!
